The Hawks upset win over finals-bound Brisbane on Sunday was a day to remember for Irishman Conor Nash who put on a career-best performance.

In a shift to the midfield, the emerging Hawk had a break-out game, collecting a career-high 23 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances.

Nash's ferocious tackling pressure saw him become only one of five Hawks to record nine or more tackles in a game this year.

Attending half of the Hawks’ centre bounces on Sunday, he also finished the game with 12 contested possessions.

Having played in the VFL in recent weeks, Nash said he had "much more confidence" re-entering the senior side via the midfield on Sunday.

"I played inside - that's something we've been trialing for the last month at Box Hill," he said.

"It's quite natural (for me) in there to just hunt the ball, hunt the man. I was just pleased to play my role for the team which is to be that bigger presence inside.

"Our tackle and our hunt was very good all day and that was a big focus for us, just pressuring them at the source."

Nash said he was hopeful his team would be able to build on the last few games of the season to launch itself positively into next year.

"We've got a month of games left... we could turn the toes up and sulk a bit, but we need to get something out of this year," he said.

"We're looking for those little signs to show that we're on the up, which we certainly showed."

Previous to the Round 20 game, Nash has been thrown around a range of positions and roles in his young career to date. 

Starting as a Category B rookie from Ireland, the 23-year-old made his debut for Hawthorn in 2018 and has made 26 appearances at AFL level since.

Fourteen of his 26 senior outings came in 2019, before playing two games last year and four more this season.

Brought into the side to provide his versatility and aggression, at his best Nash brings athleticism and toughness to the side, but has struggled to have much of an impact playing predominantly forward.

Now in his fifth season in the brown and gold, his athletic traits are up there with some of the most formidable at the club.

The question now is: will we look back on Round 20 2021 as a pivotal turning point in Conor Nash's fledgling career?

Hear more from the standout performer following Sunday's win.